Exploring dynamics of emotional reactions in online collaboration of communities of learners and their relations with learning outcomes

ABSTRACT

Emotions in online collaboration have been largely neglected or considered as a static phenomenon. Therefore, the present study aims to explore dynamics of emotional reactions in online collaboration of Communities of Learners (CoL) based on the Emotions as Social Information (EASI) Theory. In addition, relationships between emotional reactions and the learning outcomes of CoL are investigated. Data of 11 CoL with a total of 87 learners are collected in an online training programme. Qualitative content analysis was used to explore dynamics of emotional reactions and quantitative analysis was used to investigate relationships. Results showed that various positive and negative emotional reactions could be identified in the data. Further, by using a newly developed method displaying Emotional Reaction Threads (ERT) it was shown that emotional reactions unfold dynamically during online collaboration. Beyond that, results revealed relationships between the learning outcomes [(i) participation, (ii) exam grade] of CoL and positive [(i) p < .01] and negative emotional reactions [(i) p < .01, (ii) p < .05]. Based on the results of the qualitative content analysis explanations for the identified relationships are provided. Instructors of the online training programme can positively influence the learning outcomes of the CoL through expressing positive emotional reactions during online collaboration.

KEYWORDS:

• Online collaborative learning environment
• emotional reactions
• learning outcomes
• communities of learners
• workplace

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Verena Watzek

Verena Watzek is a post-doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Human Sciences of the University of Regensburg, Germany. Her research focuses on team learning and the role of emotions within work teams.

Martin Rehm

Martin Rehm is the transfer manager at the Institute of Educational Consulting at the University of Education in Weingarten, Germany. His research focuses on informal learning in social media and applying mixed methods to map and analyse communication flows.

Regina H. Mulder

Regina H. Mulder is full professor of pedagogy/educational science at the Faculty of Human Sciences of the University of Regensburg, Germany. Her research interests include a variety of topics in vocational education and training (VET) and on learning in organizations, such as evaluation of training, innovative work behaviour, informal learning at work, feedback, learning from errors and team learning.